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Drug songs banned in Mexico

It sounds like a Mexican folk song, but the lyrics tell a different story...
Narcocorridos, or drug ballads, have been around since the '70's... songs that sing the praises of drug criminals and their exploits.
But politicians in the state of Chihuahua say enough is enough. They've passed a bill banning the tunes on radio and TV and in concert.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CONGRESSMAN DEALING WITH SECURITY ISSUES AT STATE CONGRESS, ALEJANDRO DOMINGUEZ, SAYING:
"This law has a very clear objective which is to avoid justifying and promoting stories about crime and to prevent these matters, which are very sensitive to the community, to continue tainting society."
Critics of the songs say they dignify drug barons into Robin Hood-like folk heroes, immortalizing them with catchy lyrics sung to a polka rhythm.
Whether the ban will help reduce crime remains to be seen... but some citizens say it's too little too late.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RESIDENT, ROSALIO MORALES, SAYING:
"They have existed for some time now and we hadn't seen a terrible amount of homicides (because of them). What we should do here is work on how to create, generate a culture of life, hope, dignity so that the people can have a voice. "
In an ironic twist of fate, some narcocorrido musicians have themselves fallen victim to drug violence.... At least a dozen have been assassinated over the years.
Julie Noce, Reuters

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